Tuesday, September 30, 2014

Hey, blogspot readers, it's another hot time rockin' around town with SouthSide! Yet, the goal of her night wasn't to review but finally enjoy music. So it was off to Lakeview's popular nightspot, Elbo Room, to rock with her touring friend - Miggs who brought along a special guest Terry McDermott (http://www.terrymacmusic.com) to perform one unique performance. It wasn't just Terry acoustically opening for the band. No, it was a combination of both Terry and Miggs (either with a few band members and/or the entire band) together on stage.

What a music combination it was, blogspot readers! This reviewer enjoyed the intense emotions being pumped through the microphone by Terry while (at first) John Luzzi (guitarist/vocalist of Miggs) accompanied him during songs like "Black Hole" and "Join or Die". She found herself feeling the heartfelt words popping to life especially while performing a cover of Foreigner's top ballad "I Wanna Know What Love Is", Yet it wasn't all seriousness and deep emotions with this duo, blogspot readers. There was some lighthearted comedic moments too and flicking of Miggs guitar picks into the audience. Gradually adding Don Miggs and other members into the mix, subsequently went from Terry McDermott opening performance to a Terry and Miggs set until finally Miggs took over the stage rockin' to the song "Pretty". This particular song moved not only the band but audience as well into the energizing, upbeat rhythmic tempo thus kicking off the performance with an explosive bang! Not to worry, Terry would be rejoining Miggs again.

Now with Miggs (http://www.miggsmusic.com) fully energized and ready to rock out stage with selections off their current release Walls Come Down, blogspot readers. Besides the lively rhythms or the harmonic vocal melodies, you just might hear words of encouragement and/or inspiration within the song's lyrics. For example, check out "Be Good To Yourself" - piece of advice Don gives to his young sons ..."Passing Through" where he advises you to '...take the thorn out of your side ...take the stone out of your shoe ...you're only passing through...' whatever has you bogged down in trouble or despair ..."Home" where the heartfelt emotions come to light as he misses his sons and wife which also features a verse from The Righteous Brother's "Unchained Melodies". It was such a powerful moment, blogspot readers, as Don poured out the emotions through the words while the band passionately backed him with the music. Oh yeah, Miggs know how to add a little funk to their rock sound too especially when performing "The Drifter". What made the evening truly special their fans, blogspot readers, was when they did a medley of songs from George Michael's "Faith" to Journey's "Don't Stop Believin'" as well as Pink Floyd's "Another Brick In The Wall part 2" and the two different versions of "Crazy" by Gnarls Barkley and Seal before topping it off with a very enthusiastic version of Led Zeppelin's "Whole Lotta of Love" in between "Let The Games Begin" and title track - "Walls Come Down". To really end this dual performance on a high note, Terry joined the band for a rousing encore number, Beatles' Helter Skelter ...a rarely heard as well as performed song but with Miggs' explosive rock sound and Terry on the mic, it was certainly a treat, blogspot readers.

SouthSide highly recommends checking out Miggs with Terry McDermott while both are currently touring together. Two hot hours of a music performance not to be missed this fall, blogspot readers!

Monday, September 29, 2014

Spook-tacular things are bound to happen around town (and elsewhere) this month, blogspot readers. Ghostly ghouls and goblins ...witches and wizards are headed this way to spice up your trick-o-treating plans on Oct. 31st. Even the fashionably dressed creatures of the night and zombies will be making an appearance at one or more events occurring in October.

SouthSide highly recommends checking out the festivals and haunted houses...

Get It On presents Chicago Mini Music Festivals at various
venue locations around town ... It’s a slate of roving mini festivals aimed to
spotlight specific genres thus aiding bands to build a local scene with other
like-minded bands. Each event will featuring several bands of the same genre
for example on Oct. 2 at LiveWire Lounge where it’s Chicago Indie/Alternative
Fest featuring bands The Local Void, Void The Light, The Janitor & The Bum
and Hedgehog & The Fox. The end goal of this festival is to bring Chicago
bands to other cities to play mini-festivals that within their music. For more
information, visit http://www.getitonpresents.com.

Elwood, IL – it’s the Fall Farm Fest featuring 3 fun days of
music, art and camping set to the theme of “Alice In Wonderland” with live
performances by Tamagowa and Oldine (from France), Mountain Animation (NY) and
Betty, Betty Blackfoot (Floriida) and many more.

The Throne Room – it’s The Aaron Williams Band rockin’ the
stage along with Jeff Brown & The New Black and Elle Casazza.

8p doorsAnodyne Coffee Roasting Co (Milwaukee, WI) - Kyle Feerick's "The Sky, It Moves" release party featuring special guest Myles Coyne on stage.Jerry's - check out One Season sharing the stage with The Oarsman and Rusty Gates at this Wicker Park venue.$10

Oct. 18:

Township – check out Dead On TV’s “Creeper” record release
show with Crude Humor, Happy 99, and Off Color.

AA / 6p / $8

Oct. 19:

Door No. 3 – check out The Open Door Jam Session: Jazz night
with The Larry Brown Band and special guest.

$7 / 9p show

Oct. 21:

Double Door – rock with Eddie & The Hot Rods, Dime
Runner, and Modern Day Rippers.

Double Door – check out Big Paraid with Great Ocean Waters,
The Wild Finish, The Nothing Company and Frey Geoffroux.

$8 (or $5 with rsvp on do312.com) / 8p show

Debonair Social Club – rock out this venue with Little
Missiles.Township - check out North By North along with The Travel Suitcase, Republic of Lights and Aktar Aktar performing on stage here.18+ / $5 adv / $8 dos

Oct. 24 & 25:

Grand Hall (London, UK) – it’s the World Burlesque Games
featuring 36 finalists in 6 competing categories performing in front of an
estimated crowd of 1500+ spectators. Get tickets now before it’s sold out at
http://www.worldburlesquegames.com.

LiveWire Lounge – check out Faces of the Bog with Serial
Hawk, Pale Horseman and The Hyss rockin’ the stage.

Oct. 27:

Reggie’s Music Joint – the father-son duo Rick (founding
member of Dropkick Murphys) and Stephen Barton aka Continental will be playing
selections off their current release “Millionaires”.Grandbar - it's an early Halloween show featuring Devilocks as Misfits and First Jason!FREE / 8p doors

Elbo Room – trick-o-treat at the venue’s annual Halloween
bash featuring Bands On Bands theme with Ramones (Bambi Raptor) headlining the lineup that also includes Green Day (A Friend Called Fire), ZZ Top (Model Stranger), Elton John (Bullet Called Life) and Queen (Polarizer).

The Mutiny – ghoulish things are rockin’ this Bucktown venue
when Will of Man becomes The Misfits, Bottle Kids are Bouncing Souls, Butchered
rocks as Against Me, and The Cheap Dates turn into Golden Oldies.

$10 GA / $20 VIP / 8p showMetro - lots of spooky as well as fashionably dressed to be seen people will want to attend the Annual NOCTURNA All Hallow's Eve Ball ...this year on Halloween! From midnight to dawn, dance to your favorite dark music spun by DJ Scary Lady Sarah where she'll have some trick and treats for all who attend.18+ / $15 (in costume) / $18 (non-costume)

Saturday, September 27, 2014

Hey, blogspot readers, it's another beautiful day in Chicago ...a few clouds in the skies - here and there ...no big deal. Yep, it was one of those rare autumn days in this city that it was SO nice enough to have lunch outdoors for a change underneath the famous Picasso statute at Daley Plaza. However, there's a problem. Problem is choosing what to have for lunch because it's a food truck rally! As part of Social Media Week Chicago activities, workers from the surrounding office buildings as well as tourists had the daunting task of picking from which of the several trucks they were going to eat.

And believe SouthSide, blogspot readers, the choices were NOT easy!

On one hand, you could try lobster on a bun ...or get addictive on the Beavers' coffee and donuts ...perhaps a gourmet burger with fries is to your liking prepared by Windy City Patty Wagon. Or better yet, every Chicagoan's favorite - PIZZA by Chicago Boss Pizza or Giordano's (try making a decision between those two trucks, blogspot readers). If not pizza, then how about some Japanese food from Yum Dum ...or cheese-related food from Cheesie's Pub and Grub truck - which had THE longest line during Riot Fest weekend.

Yes, blogspot readers, SO many choices during such little time for these downtown office workers on their lunch hour. Luckily, SouthSide arrived earlier to scope out which trucks to eat before the swarming lunch crowd descended upon Daley Plaza around noon time. Besides the food trucks, there were a few of the pedicabs on the plaza square showcasing the new city licensing and alternative taxi services. Plus there was also some lively entertainment since it was the 18th annual Austrian-American Day celebration. This lunchtime event included the raising of the Austrian flag followed by some lively Austrian-Viennese music.

What a fun way to end a long week of Social Media Week session/events that took place around town, blogspot readers.

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About Me

Who is SouthSide?
Well, she's Chicago's only partyin' local scene queen who covers (mostly) everything that's rockin' a venue, fest, art show and more for over a decade. And was at one time photographed as one of Chicago's Very Own (WGN-TV's ad campaign).
She enjoys hanging out with bands from around town as well as nationally and internationally ...plus has interviewed many famous rock icons like Don Brewer, Rudy Sarzo, V Is For Villains, Nate Z, Valerie Pettiford, Emilio Castillo and more.
She has met and reviewed bands like The Parlotones (from South Africa), Lenhen (from Austria), Chateau Marmont (from France), 30 Seconds to Mars, Tower of Power, Lucid Ground, Grand Funk Railroad, The Polkaholics and many, many more.
She hopes you enjoy reading about her adventures in this blog as much as she has experienced them.